# Facebook Home

> user interface layer for Android-compatible smartphones

**Wikidata**: [Q10630551](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10630551)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook_Home)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/facebook-home

## Summary
Facebook Home is a user interface layer developed by Meta for Android-compatible smartphones. Released on April 12, 2013, the software functions as a social-centric executive component that sits atop the mobile operating system to integrate social networking features directly into the device experience.

## Key Facts
- **Developer:** Meta (American multinational technology corporation)
- **Initial Release Date:** April 12, 2013
- **Operating System:** Android
- **Classification:** Software / User interface layer
- **Internal Alias:** Dalia
- **Distribution Channel:** Google Play Store
- **App Identifier:** com.facebook.home
- **Developer Headquarters:** Menlo Park, California (1 Hacker Way)

## FAQs
### Q: What exactly is Facebook Home?
A: Facebook Home is a software user interface layer designed for Android-compatible smartphones. It is a non-tangible executable component that modifies the visual and interactive experience of the mobile device.

### Q: When was Facebook Home first published?
A: The software was officially released on April 12, 2013. It was made available for download through the Google Play Store under the package name "com.facebook.home."

### Q: Who created Facebook Home?
A: It was developed by Meta (formerly known as Facebook), an American technology company founded in July 2004. The project was known internally by the alias "Dalia."

### Q: What devices can run Facebook Home?
A: Facebook Home is designed specifically for smartphones running the Android operating system. It is not compatible with other mobile operating systems.

## Why It Matters
Facebook Home represents a significant effort by Meta to move beyond a standard application and become the primary interface for mobile users. By developing a dedicated user interface layer for Android—an operating system that has been active since 2008—Meta attempted to prioritize social connectivity at the system level. 

The project highlights the strategic importance of the Android platform as an open environment for deep software integration. Distributed via Google Play, Facebook Home allowed a major social media corporation to influence the user experience of third-party hardware. The development of such a specialized interface required substantial resources; at the time of its broader lifecycle in 2014 and 2015, Meta's workforce grew from approximately 9,199 to nearly 12,000 employees, reflecting the scale of the organization behind the software.

## Notable For
- **Deep Integration:** Functions as a comprehensive user interface layer rather than a standalone app.
- **Platform Specificity:** Built exclusively for the Android ecosystem to leverage its flexible architecture.
- **Internal Codename:** Developed under the project alias "Dalia."
- **Official Distribution:** Recognized in the Google Play Store by the unique app ID "com.facebook.home."

## Body

### Development and Release
Facebook Home was developed by Meta, an American technology firm based in Menlo Park, California. The software was officially published on April 12, 2013. During its development phase, the software was referred to by the alias "Dalia." The project was part of Meta's broader focus on information technology and mobile user experience.

### Technical Architecture
The software is categorized as a "user interface layer" and a "non-tangible executable component." It is designed to run on the Android operating system, which was originally released by Google on September 23, 2008. Facebook Home does not replace the underlying operating system but sits on top of it to provide a specialized social interface.

### Distribution and Identification
The primary distribution method for Facebook Home was the Google Play Store. It is identified in technical databases by the following markers:
*   **Google Play App ID:** com.facebook.home
*   **Freebase ID:** /m/0sgh3qz
*   **Zhihu Topic ID:** 19829822

### Organizational Context
The developer, Meta, was founded on July 29, 2004. During the years following the release of Facebook Home, the company saw rapid expansion. In December 2014, the company had 9,199 employees. By March 2015, this number increased to 10,082, and by September 2015, the workforce reached 11,996 people. This growth supported the continued development and maintenance of software products like Facebook Home across various international markets, with Wikipedia entries for the software existing in languages including English, German, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. Quora